In 2019, at the age of 45, I started noticing something off with my health. I often felt a sense of incomplete bowel movements, coupled with occasional bleeding. Concerned, I went for a colonoscopy, which revealed a diagnosis I had feared: Stage 2 low rectal cancer. The location of the tumor meant I couldn’t avoid a permanent ostomy. Despite the life-altering impact, I chose surgery, knowing it was my best chance at survival and being there for my family.
The post-surgery phase was challenging. I grappled with depression and felt a deep sense of loss. When surrounded by friends and family, I masked my feelings, but in private, I often broke down. Eventually, something shifted within me. I refused to let my new reality defeat me. Determined, I set out to learn everything I could about ostomy care, starting with resources on HEAGI's website. However, the hands-on experience was much more daunting than I had anticipated. I quickly realized that ostomy care required meticulous attention—any oversight could lead to leaks and discomfort.
There was one incident that stands out. After struggling for over an hour to attach a new Clostomy bag, I thought I had finally succeeded. But by the next day, I faced a leak. The stoma opening had been cut too small, causing irritation and bleeding. On another occasion, the baseplate detached completely, leaving me in an embarrassing situation.
A particularly humiliating experience during the winter of 2020 finally pushed me to master ostomy care. I was walking home through the snow, burdened with a heavy backpack, when I felt a sudden chill around my abdomen. To my horror, stool had leaked down my leg. The baseplate had come loose, and with no restroom in sight, I rushed home. Upon inspection, I found that half of the adhesive had peeled away. Thankfully, I caught it in time, but the incident made me realize I needed a better strategy, especially in harsh weather conditions.
I reached out to HEAGI’s support team, who explained that cold, dry weather can sap moisture from the skin, causing it to flake and itch. The Skin Barrier also becomes less pliable, increasing the risk of detachment. They advised pre-warming the baseplate adhesive using body heat before application, and suggested using an Elastic Hydrocolloid Tape for extra security. I followed this advice and found it worked wonders. I also switched to a softer baseplate from Heagi material that allowed more freedom of movement, which was crucial for my active lifestyle.
These adjustments made a world of difference. Since then, I haven’t had any major issues with my stoma. The ordeal taught me that successful ostomy care is all about the details. Skipping even one step can lead to unexpected, and often embarrassing, complications.
Now, nearly two years later, I’m in a much better place. I’ve learned a few things that might help others going through the same journey:
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Invest in Quality Products: Don’t skimp on your ostomy supplies. While it’s important to be cost-conscious, remember that your quality of life is on the line. Choose ostomy care products that suit your specific needs and offer the best value for your situation.
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Stick to a Routine: Regularly change your ostomy bag. This not only keeps your skin healthy but also prevents any unexpected leaks or discomfort.
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Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: After surgery, it’s important to focus on nutrition while also keeping your weight in check. Extra abdominal fat can cause folds around the stoma, making it harder to secure the Skin Barrier and increasing the risk of leaks.
In the end, I’ve come to embrace my new normal. I’m back at work, and my energy levels are better than ever. Living with a Colstomy bag doesn’t have to hold you back. With the right care and mindset, life can return to its regular rhythm, and you can face each day with renewed confidence.
Please stay tuned to HEAGI as we share more real stories and stoma care knowledge.
